The following list of information is provided to help you plan your funeral. Organization is the key to planning in the midst of grief and sadness. We hope the following list will lend a helping hand. Print it out and keep it in a convenient place.

Notify Authorities
If the death occurs outside of a hospital or nursing home you may need to notify authorities of the death. Call 911 or your local emergency number to report the death. The authorities will call the coroner. Although it may not actually be necessary to call the coroner, it is a good idea to do so, especially if the deceased had insurance policies.

Notify close relatives and friends
The police are required to notify next of kin, but there will likely be other relatives that should be included, especially if they need to travel some distance to attend the funeral. Don't forget to include close friends.

• You or the authorities may call the funeral home that will be taking care of the arrangements for the funeral and calling hours.
• Notify any relatives who will be having a part in planning the calling hours and details of the funeral and set up a time to meet with the funeral director to finalize the plans.
• Discuss who will be responsible for funeral expenses for billing purposes. If there is an executor for the estate of the deceased, this person usually handles this responsibility, but it is entirely up to the family to determine who should handle this responsibility. Often families will divide this responsibility between several family members.
• Gather the information you will need for the completion of the death certificate at the funeral home. Parent's names including middle initials, also the social security number and date of birth of the deceased, their place of work (Name and address) and occupation of the deceased. See Vital Statistics Form.

The funeral director
The funeral director will guide you through the much of the planning process. Use the following checklist to when meeting with your funeral director.

1. Consider embalming the body
   This decision will determine the timing of many decisions you make.
   • The law requires bodies that are not embalmed be buried sooner than bodies that are embalmed.
2. Clothing & Jewelry
   If this will be a traditional burial you need to consider clothing & jewelry. (If this will be a cremation you can eliminate this step.)
   • Clothing - You may want to bring this with you when you meet with the funeral director to make the plans, but this is not essential.
   • Jewelry - Remember any special pins or jewelry. Special pins would include but are not limited to Union and association membership pins. Also Watches, earrings, necklaces, tie tacks, cuff links, or anything that the deceased particularly liked or directed to be included.

3. Consider the type of burial
   • Cemetery plot ___
     If one has been previously purchased, bring the deed to the plot with you, if you have it, to the funeral home when you make your plans. If you know you have a plot but don’t have the deed in your possession, the funeral director can contact the cemetery overseer to arrange confirmation. Otherwise a plot will need to be purchased. The funeral director will assist you with this.
   • Vault ___ Choose a vault. Your funeral director will describe the various types available.
   • Mausoleum ___
   • See Vaults and Mausoleums
4. Select the casket or container
   • Wood ___ Metal ___ Cardboard (cremation) ___ Urn ___
5. Open or closed casket
   Decide whether it will be opened or closed casket.
   Note: Some clergy persons insist that the casket be closed for the memorial service. If you have a specific wish for the casket to remain open during the service, be sure to specify this when selecting a clergy person to deliver the eulogy.
   • Open ___
   • Closed ___
6. Calling hours
   Decide on calling hours at the funeral home. 
   • Some families choose not to have calling hours at the funeral home. There is great flexibility and the time(s) selected should try to accommodate the needs of the family and friends.
   • Traditionally hours have been from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. as these hours can accommodate friends who have to work day or evening shifts.
7. Funeral services
   If you plan to have a funeral service, you need to consider when and where the service will be conducted.
   • When
     Before burial or cremation ___
     After burial or cremation ___
   • Where
     The funeral home ___
     Church/Temple/Mosque ___
     At the graveside ___
     Other ___________
8. Special Ceremonies
   Some Fraternal Orders and the Military may provide special ceremonies for the funeral service.
   • Check with the local branch of the service the deceased was enlisted in or the Fraternal Order for more information.
9. Seating arrangements for the funeral service
   The funeral director should be aware of the relationships of people attending to seat them appropriately.

Form design by Annexa  ©2002 by Rochester Funeral Homes

10. Compose the Obituary
    • Vital statistics
    • Memberships and associations
    • Hobbies
    • See Writing an obituary
11. Publishing an obituary
    Decide on which newspapers or other publications will be used to place the obituary notice.
    • Local ___
    • Regional ___
    • Internet ___
12. Flower arrangements
    Decide on the type of flower arrangements to be provided by the family. Relatives and other well wishers may also need to be advised as to your desired floral selections.
    • Casket Spray ___
    • Lid arrangements ___
    • Standing spray ___
    • Matching baskets ___
    • Specialty pieces (floral hearts, crosses, and bible) ___
    • See Floral Selection Guide
13. Pictures or photo album - Consider setting up pictures or a photo album to remind well wishers and family of good times or special events in the life of the deceased.
14. Other props
    The family or funeral director may wish to setup props that reflect the interests of the deceased.
15. Eulogies
    Decide who will deliver the eulogy
    • Clergy ___
    • Friend ___
    • Combination ___
    • Video eulogy ___
    • Other __________
    • See Writing a Eulogy
16. Special Recognition
    Consider special recognition for accomplishments of the deceased. 
    • Athletic ___
    • Political ___
    • Religious ___
    • Scientific ___
17. Memorial cards (optional)
    • Choose from funeral home offerings ___
    • Have unique cards printed ___
    • Print your own ___
    • See Memorial Cards
18. Pall bearers
    Arrange for pall bearers. Usually 4 to 6 men are needed.
    • Ask friends or relatives (usually not next of kin) 
    • Ask funeral home to arrange for this service.

19. Music at calling hours or funeral
    • Generic funeral home selections ___
    • Favorite recordings of the deceased ___
    • Other soothing instrumentals _________
20. Grave site transportation
    Consider who will provide transportation for the family to the grave site. Transportation of the deceased is usually provided by the funeral home.
    • Friends and Family ___
    • Funeral home limo ___
21. Grave marker
    A temporary marker may be selected if a permanent marker has not been purchased or engraved.
    • Engrave present stone ___
    • Purchase new stone ___
    • Veterans plaque - Veterans may be eligible for a marker plaque.
    • Special insignias - A member of a service or charitable organization may be eligible for special insignia to be fixed to the marker.
22. Wake or special gathering
    Decide if there will be a wake or other gathering to celebrate the life of the deceased. Consider where and when to hold this gathering.
    • Where ___________
    • When ___________
    • Food ____________
    • Drink ____________
23. Accommodating out of town relatives
    Consider how to accommodate relatives.
    • Assist with travel plans ___
    • Airport pick up ___
    • Lodging ___
24. Legal Matters - See Related Legal Issues

Form design by Annexa  ©2002 by Rochester Funeral Homes